 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
BluMont
Capital Inc. Announces Shareholder Approval of Amalgamation
February 28, 2007
|
 |
BluMont
Quarterly Results February 23, 2007
|
 |
Alternative
Yield Announces Distribution February 23, 2007
|
 |
BluMont
Man Alternative Yield Fund Announces Income Distribution
January 31, 2007
|
 |
BCC
Special Meeting of Shareholders January 23, 2007
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Pork-belly Plays for the Little
Guy
Mary Gooderham Globe and Mail February
2007
Due to the growing global market demand for Canada’s
natural resources, the urge among Canadian investors to trade in
commodities has strengthened. In the past, it has been difficult for
those that wanted to invest directly into commodities due to high
minimum investment requirements, higher risk and a lack of retail
futures products.
However, managed futures funds which
package future contracts in a range of commodities are now available
to the retail market. Minimum investments are as low as CDN$2,000
and these funds are available through retail brokers and may come
with principal and yield guarantees.
Managed futures are
derivatives that pool investments in futures contracts including
currencies, stock indices and the more traditional resource and
agricultural products.
Managed futures should not be
considered short-term investments as their increased volatility
requires the need for a greater investment horizon prior to
realizing a return on investment.
The financial community
has mixed reviews about managed futures funds. Some claim that they
are for sophisticated investors only who can handle high risk and
pay high fees. Others claim that investors looking to diversify
their portfolios should consider making an allocation to managed
futures funds as they can reduce risk because they have low
correlation to, and produce returns independent of, other portfolio
holdings. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Due Diligence:
The process of research
and analysis, performed by prospective investors, into the details
of a potential investment prior to making an investment decision,
such as an analysis of a company’s business operations and
management, and the verification of material facts. |
 |
 |
 |
Issue 31 - March 7, 2007
We hope you
enjoyed reading BluMont eNews. You can expect our next issue in
April.
BluMont eNews is a monthly email publication.
We want to hear from you. Send us your comments or questions
and let us know what you want to see in BluMont eNews.
Email
feedback@blumontcapital.com
| |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
| *As of January 31, 2007 |
 |
| Click to view full fund performance
and pricing
tables. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
BluMont Capital Corporation (“BluMont”) is pleased to name
Victor Koloshuk as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Koloshuk is Chairman and founder of Integrated Asset
Management Corporation (“IAMC”) and co-founded Koloshuk Farrugia
Corp. in 1988. Mr. Koloshuk has initiated and led some of Canada’s
largest acquisitions and restructurings. Mr. Koloshuk was also a
vice-president and director of ScotiaMcLeod Inc., specializing in
corporate finance, mergers, acquisitions and merchant banking from
1975-1988, and had five years experience as a security analyst with
Wood Gundy Inc.
Specializing in hedge funds, BluMont offers
innovative investment solutions that provide enhanced
diversification and robust return potential. BluMont employs over 35
people nationwide and has approximately C$795 million in assets
under management and administration as of January 31, 2007. BluMont
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toronto-based Integrated Asset
Management Corp. (TSXV:IAM), a leading alternative asset investment
management company with approximately C$3 billion in assets under
management and committed capital under management as of December 31,
2006. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Hedge funds remain a misunderstood and often
maligned area of the investment management industry. The reality is
that despite the benefits hedge funds can offer to a portfolio, many
investors shy away from them because of their lack of knowledge of
this asset class. Understanding hedge funds requires a higher level
of sophistication than what is required with ‘traditional’
investments, however there are a variety of professional development
courses and designations that can help educate investors.
To
begin with, many investment firms offer their own internal hedge
fund courses that advisors are required to take before recommending
hedge fund products to their clients. These courses will provide a
brief introduction to some of the risks of investing in hedge funds,
and generally involve 5 to 10 hours of class time. These courses are
usually intended to provide a basic introduction to hedge funds.
The Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) offers a hedge fund
course that is designed to provide financial advisors with a strong
proficiency in hedge fund products. The course covers several hedge
fund strategies and their associated risks, and also analyzes how
hedge funds can fit into an investment portfolio. The CSI hedge fund
course also outlines the various ways of investing in hedge funds,
such as principal-protected notes and funds of hedge funds. The
course involves one written multiple choice exam, and should leave
students with a strong foundation for further research into hedge
funds.
The standard bearer for hedge fund education and
alternative investments in general is the Chartered Alternative
Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation. This is a globally recognized
designation, and it is currently one of the fastest growing
professional designations in the world in terms of membership. The
course is designed to provide an in depth knowledge of hedge funds
and alternative investment products. The course covers hedge funds,
private equity, real estate, and managed futures investing. CAIA
charter holders will have solid quantitative and analytical
training, as well as being bound to a code of ethics. There are two
levels to complete before being awarded the designation, each
involving a four hour multiple choice exam. This designation is
ideal for those seeking to develop an expertise in hedge funds, and
is rapidly becoming a critical qualification for hedge fund analysts
and professionals.
The increasing popularity of hedge funds
with investors, combined with their higher level of complexity,
relative to traditional investments, creates an overwhelming need
for professional training in this area of investment management. The
above-mentioned courses are important resources for professionals
looking to increase their hedge fund knowledge base. Many
institutions are realizing the importance of hedge fund education,
and new professional development courses and programs are being
introduced on a regular basis. | |